Bed structure and the like



Sept. 1, 1936. FRANK 2,052,704

BED STRUCTURE AND THE LIKE Filed Feb. 14, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

B ewjam in M Frank BY V ATTORNEY.

Sept. 1, 1936. B. M. FRANK BED STRUCTURE AND THE LIKE Filed Feb. 14, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. ,Bmz jamfn M Fran 7:.

ATTORNEY.

lllulll in m. I i

Sept. 1, 1936. -B. M. FRANK BED STRUCTURE AND THE LIKE Filed Feb. 14, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. B ergamzn M Hank ATTORNEY.

Patented Sept. 1, 1936 STATES ATENT OFFICE BED STRUCTURE AND THE LIKE Application February 14, 1934, Serial No. 711,121

Claims.

The present invention relates to bed structures and the like which preferably, although not necessarily, provide for the conjoint use of a seat and two frames or sections which are relatively movable to each other and may be positioned laterally of the seat, so that one or two persons may lie lengthwise of the entire assembly of seat and such sections instead of longitudinally with the seat and such sections. This permits the length of the seat to be shortened relatively to the length of the customary couches or lounges, although the proportions do not have to be definitely determined. That is to say, if the seat be made longer and the laterally positionable bed sections also made longer, persons may lie longitudinally with the same instead of transversely thereof, which latter, however, is preferred under the present invention.

The seat may take the form of a couch, sofa or lounge, but it is preferred, although not required, that such article of furniture have no back.

'These being the principal considerations desired, whether or not required, an object of the invention is to provide a couch preferably with a. recess to nest or receive two bed sections or the like which are movable relatively to each other and which may be nested or telescoped into such recess, and so that when the sections are moved out they may be positioned and extended laterally of the couch or seat to receive cushions, mattresses or the like so as to form a sleeping or reclining surface transversely of the couch, such cushions or the like being adapted and proportioned so that when the bed structure is closed to form a day couch, lounge or the like, such cushions may be used in definite portions of the same, thereby to provide a comfortable day couch or the like.

A specific object of the invention in this connection may be achieved by suitably constructed and proportioned cushions adapted to form the back of the couch, if that be open, such cushions then resting against the wall, and adapted to be used in the nature of pillows by shifting them onto the remote portion of the extended structure when that is in position for use as a bed or the like, so that the pillows ordinarily used are not necessarily required.

Still another object of the invention which may be resorted to in such connections is to so mount and sustain in an inclined position the remote section of the extended structure, that is that section which is removed from the seat, couch or in sleeping position the same are locked and sus- 1 tained in such position against the weight of an occupant of the bed or the like. Such a construction enables the bed sections or the like to be folded together in such manner that they may he slid into a recess or frame of the seat or couch.

Another preferred object of the invention may be obtained by a special construction and arrangement of equalizing means whereby a carriage to support such or similar bed sections may be guided out from underneath the seat to a position laterally thereof, such carriage being preferably provided with a front board constituting a valance which closes the front of the recess or compartment of the seat when the carriage and the sustained parts are slid back into the seat.

These preferably being among the objects of the present invention, the same consists of certain features of construction and combinations of parts to be hereinafter described and then ,claimed with reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating one embodiment of the invention wherein Fig. 1 is a plan of the bed structure or the like in extended position equipped for use as a bed;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of a seat in the form of a couch, without a stationary back, a back being provided by means of suitably formed cushions;

Fig. 3 is an end elevation of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged end elevation of the seat shown in Figs. 2 and 3, parts broken away, and showing an extension bed in collapsed position within a recess of the seat, so that the seat presents a finished appearance as in Figs. 2 and 3;

Fig. 5 is an end view somewhat similar to Fig. 4 but showing the supplemental or auxiliary extensible bed sections moved out beyond the seat, but still in collapsed position;

Fig. 6 is a broken end elevation of a seat and of the extension bed moved out to a position laterally of the seat, the operating mechanism of the extension or auxiliary bed being shown part way of its range of motion in operating and moving the two bed sections;

Fig. 7 is an end elevation with respect to the seat, although it is really a side elevation of the bed structure in position for use as a bed, and showing the preferred cushions which in this view are used to form part of the bed. although they ordinarily are combined with the seat or couch; and.this view shows the seat and the parts within it as broken away in the middle, in order to be able to show the fullextent of the bed; and

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the bed structure or the like in extended position as in Fig. 7,, but also being broken away for clearness of illustration.

Referring to the drawings, the preferred main frame ID of the seat, couch or the like supports in any well known or obvious manner the end pieces I I which may be composed of wood as they are bulky portions of the seat, and are usually covered with suitable fabric of the nature usually employed for covering seats which are partially or more or less upholstered. The seat proper I2 extends between the end pieces II and is cushioned or stuffed so as to provide a stationary seat between the end pieces or arms II. The main frame I9 is preferably metallic and may be supported at a slight elevation from the bottom of each end piece I I by means of any well known corner fastenings or the like, and as the frame III is slightly elevated, the end pieces II are formed with suitable feet, as shown, which extend below the frame I0.

Preferably the structural metal frame I comprises longitudinal bars I3 at the back, a longitudinal bar I4 at the front, vertical corner bars I5 between the back bars I3, top end bars I6 and bottom end bars I1, all riveted or otherwise secured together to form a rigid frame, and such bars are preferably made of suitable angle metal. Topbars I3, I4 and end bars I6 provide a top frame adapted to support a seat of any suitable construction. Braces I8 are rigidly secured to the bottom bars I1 such braces being also rigidly secured to depending bars I9 at the front corners of the frame In. It will be seen that by I locating the depending bars I9 in the corners of the frame In and omitting any longitudinal bar at the lower ends thereof, together with making the bars I1 shorter than the width of frame I II, that a front opening 20 in the frame I0 is provided.

The seat structure preferably composed of the parts before mentioned may of course support suitable removable cushions or mattresses or the like, to which end a movable cushion 2I may be caused to rest upon the stationary cushion or the like I2 of the seat. The cushion 2I is of substantially the same area as that of the cushion I2 of the seat, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, but in Figs. 7 and 8 the seat being shown as broken away in the middle portion makes it appear that the cushion 2I is longer than the width of the seat cushion I2.

Movable cushion 2| may with the top of the seat or the seat cushion I2 be constructed so that they may be folded, to which end the cushion 2I has stitched or otherwise secured thereto a flap 22 of fabric or the like which passes down over the front of the seat cushion I2 and is secured to a frame bar 220., as more clearly shown in Fig. 7. Hence when the cushion 2I rests upon the seat cushion I2, such flap 22 will extend over the front of the seat cushion I2 and furnish a finishing for the seat when it is used recesses 28 in the cushions 23, 24, as shown in- Flg. 2. It will be noted that when the back cushions 23, 24 are in place on the seat they furnish a cushion back therefor, the recesses 26 receiving the upper ends or arms of the end pieces II, while the lateral extensions 25 pass over and directly above the end pieces. It is obvious that the cushions 23, 24 may be separately removed and otherwise used when desired, as will more fully appear hereinafter.

A movable structure now to be described preferably nests or telescopes with. the structure provided by the seat and its concomitant parts, by its being able to pass into or out of the front opening 20. The movable structure preferably comprises a slidable rectangular frame 21 constituting a supporting structure, and it may be in the form of a carriage provided with casters 28. This supporting structure 21 supports bed sections, frames or the like 29, 30 as clearly shown in Figs. 5 to 8 inclusive. The frames of the bed sections 29, 30 may be composed of angle metal. The sections or the like 29, 30 are relatively ture or frame 21, relatively to which they are also movable, so that they may be moved into a collapsed position so as to readily pass through the front opening 20 and in underneath the stationary seat and so that they may be moved into a position projected out of the seat and may be extended and raised for use with the seat, the seat and the bed sections 29, 30 then constituting an extended bed or the like upon which one or more persons may recline or sleep. The mechanism whereby the bed sections or the like 29, 30 may be operated when they are free to move will now be described.

In referring to the operating mechanism for the bed sections 29, 30 it will be understood that in most of the figures the mechanism is shown only at one side of the supporting structure 21 and the bed sections or the like 29, 39, the mechanism at the opposite side being the same. As shown, the operating mechanism includes a lifting link 3I supported on the frame 21 by means of a pivot 32, the opposite end of such link being provided with a pin 33 which may move in a slot 34 which extends longitudinally of the bed section 29, thereby providing a sliding connection between the link 3I and the section 29. A bracket 36 extends upwardly and forwardly from the frame 21 (there will of course be two of these) and to such bracket there is rigidly secured a vertical angle metal strip 31 which is rigidly secured to a horizontal front board 38 which stands vertically in front of the frame or carriage 21. This front board 38 constitutes a valance to close the front portion of the seat at a point below the stationary seat cushion I2, when the structure 21 and the parts mounted thereon are within the recess or space provided within the metallic frame II]. The front board or va-' enters a. slot 4| of an intermediate frame between the bed sections 29, 30. The pin 40 and slot 4| provide a sliding connection with such intermediate frame which comprises an elbow shaped link 42 at one side of the structure connected with a similar link at the opposite side by means of a cross-piece 43 (see Figs. 1 and 8). Each of the elbow links 42 is mounted by means of a pivot 44 on the back of the front board 38, that is such pivot is carried by the angle metal strip 31 or the like.

By means of pivots 45, 46 the bed sections or the like 29, 30 are respectively pivotally mounted upon the intermediate frame 42, 43, and it is clear that when the bed sections 29, 38 are in horizontally extended relation they will be supported above the pivot 44 and above the front board or valance 38, as shown in Fig. 7. The pivot 46 constitutes a fulcrum for the bed section 30 to swing on and to act as a lever to operate the operating mechanism for moving the bed section 29 to proper related horizontal position with respect to the bed section 30.

A pull link 41 is provided at one end with a pivot 48 which pivotally connects it with the bed section 30 at a point a short distance beyond the pivot 46. The opposite end of the pull link 41 is pivoted by the pivot 40 which pivotally connects it with the pivoted lifting link 39, thereby the links 39 and 41 constituting a foldable linkage, the intermediate pivot of which has a sliding connection with the elbow link 42. It will be seen that if the bed section 30 is moved from the position shown, say, in Fig. 5, to the position shown in Fig. 7, the intermediate frame 42, 43 will be raised by the lowering of the bed section 30, thereby raising the corresponding portion of the bed section 29.

However, in order to raise the other portion of the bed section 29, the lifting link 3| should be operated. To this end a connecting link 50 forms a pull link between the bed section 30 and the lifting link 3| for which purpose one end of the pull link 50 is mounted by a pivot 5| 0n the link 41 and the other end of link 50 is connected by a pivot 52 with the lifting link 3|. It will now be seen that when the bed section 30 is moved forwardly by swinging it on the pivot 46, the lifting link 3| will be raised toward a vertical position, while the lifting link 39 will be similarly raised.

As shown the pull link 50 is considerably longer than the link 41, although these links act upon the lifting links 3|, 39. Preferably also the pivot 5| on the shorter pull link 41 is located at the middle of the length of such link 41, for obtaining the best results.

It will be noted that when, from the position shown in Fig. 4 to the position shown in Fig. 5 the supporting structure 21 and its concomitant parts are moved, the bed section or the like 30 may be swung through an arc of substantially degrees, in consequence of which the inner bed section or the like 29 will be raised. When the parts of the operating mechanism are in the position shown in Fig. 7, the pivot 48 will be in front of the pivot 5| and the two pivots will be in front of the pivot 46 by which the swingable bed section 30 is mounted upon the intermediate frame or link 42, while the pin 40 will be back of such other pivots. This will bring the pivots or pins 4|], 46, 5| and 48 substantially in line so as to constitute in connection with the allied parts of the operating mechanism a locking means or the like to sustain the two bed sections in their raised substantially horizontally disposed positions.

When it is desired to move the parts supported on frame 21 to a collapsed position, that will be done when the swingable bed section 30 is moved from the position shown in Fig. 7 to that shown in Fig. 5, although preferably the parts of the bed structure are so proportioned relatively to the desired short length of seat that when they are extended into the position shown in Fig. 7 so that one or more persons may recline transversely of the seat, the operating mechanism supported by the frame 21 may be used in other connections, as where the bed sections 29, 30 may be longer parallel with their pivots, so that one or more persons may lie along them in the direction in which the pivots extend. In other words, the operating mechanism referred to is considered to be novel, whether or not it is used in association with a seat, couch or the like.

It is preferred to use automatically operable legs for establishing a rigid support for the bed section 30, to which end a leg 53 is mounted upon pivot 54 on the bed section 30. Such leg (one at ach side) is formed with an extension 55 beyond the pivot 54, the leg 53 and the extension 55 being preferably formed in elbow relation. With the outer end of the leg extension 55 there is pivotally connected one end of a leg operating link 56, the opposite end of which link is pivoted upon the same pivot 5| as that upon which the pull link 50 is pivoted. It will be seen that whenever the bed sections 29, 30 are moved to their open extended relation, the leg 53 will be automatically moved to the position shown in Fig. 7. In this position it will also be seen that the bed section or the like 30 is relatively inclined upwardly from the bed section or the like 29, this inclination being preferred because the head of the one reclining on the bed preferably occupies a position above the bed section 38.

For furnishing a suitable bed bottom for the sections 29, 30, preferably a bottom composed of springs and strips 51 is employed, or, if desired, wire fabric or other bed bottom may be employed. In order to cover the bottom or the like 51, a web or strip 58 of flexible fabric may extend over the same, such strip or web being secured permanently at opposite ends to the bed sections 29, 30, as shown more clearly in Figs. 6 and 8.

Inasmuch as the invention is illustrated as embodied in a combination of seat and positionable and extensible bed sections, it is preferred that parallel motion linkage be employed to connect the seat with the supporting structure or frame 21. To this end an equalizer 59 preferably of lazy tongs type is provided so that the supporting structure 21 and its concomitant parts may be guided in and out throughout a substantially straight line. The equalizer 59 is connected by pin-and-slot connections 60 with the lower back rail or bar l3 and by pin-and-slot connections 6| with the rail or bar 62 of the supporting structure or carriage 21. Preferably the proportions are such that when the equalizer 59 is fully extended, as shown in Fig. 7, the front board or valance 38 will be moved out to the position, as shown, and so that when the movable bed section 29 is raised it will come close to the member or rail 22a, of the seat, so that the bed sections 29, 30 will be substantially continuous with the seat. It will be seen that the bar 62 constitutes a carrier for the equalizer 59 to carry the latter into extended position when the movable telescoping members are shifted entirely out of the recess below the seat. Bar 62 also'provides a rest for the bed Section 29 when the two movable bed sections 29, 30 are in their lowermost position.

Preferably in order to maintain the equalizer 59 in a substantially central position and to assist in the pushing of the supporting structure 21 and the supported parts into the recess of the seat, helical tension springs 63 are employed, these being anchored at their outer ends to the opposite bars I! of the metallic frame l0 and at their inner ends to plates 64 which are connected with the pivots 65 of the equalizer. When the equalizer is extended longitudinally to the position shown in Figs. 1 and 8, the springs 63 are fully distended, and during such extension they oppose the lateral collapse of the equalizer. Springs 63 also tend to pull the bed sections 29, 30 back against the seat.

Parallel motion linkage such as provided by lazy tongs is much preferred because such type of equalizer is best when, as under the preferred form of the present invention, the slidable supporting structure 21 is to be slid one way or the other without depending upon any guide rails or the like which aim to guide such a slidable structure on a straight line or substantially so. Besides such type of equalizer can best be used where, as shown by the extended position in the drawings, the supporting structure 21 is moved entirely clear and away from the bed section to a limit imposed by the stops afiorded by the pin-andslot connections 60.

When a construction and combination of seat and movable bed sections such as described and shown is employed, it will be seen that whenever desired the seat may be made up with cushions as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, so that one or more persons may be seated, the construction and combination then presenting a neat appearing upholstered article of furniture. When with such construction and combination one or more persons desire to convert such an article of furniture into a bed or the like, the front board or valance 38 may be taken hold of and the parts attached thereto easily pulled out from the position shown in Fig. 4 to the position shown in Fig. 5. Then it is a very simple and easy matter to swing the bed section 30 or the like upwardly and forwardly so as to bring the bed sections into the position shown in Fig. '7, an intermediate position thereof being shown in Fig. 6. Now a cushion or mattress such as 2| is moved from the seat over onto the bed section 29. Finally the back cushions 23, 24 of the seat are removed most readily and are then placed in position upon the bed section 30, at a point adjoining the cushion or mattress 2|. The relation of the cushions in this position is shown in Fig. l where it will be seen that the back cushions 23, 24 constitute inclined pillows, although if desired ordinary stuffed pillows may be added. The extensions 25 of the cushions 23, 24 will then pass over the upper ends of the legs 53 and protect the occupant against the metallic parts in these regions.

Other modifications than those suggested may be resorted to in connection with the invention without departing from the spirit thereof as expressed in the appended claims.

What I claim as new is-- I. In a bed and the like, the combination of two telescoping structures, one of which is a main section forming a seat support, the other including a supporting structure and two relatively movable sections mounted on the supporting structure, one of which movable sections is provided with means to move and raise it above the supporting structure, and parallel motion linkage forming an equalizer connecting the telescoping structures and defining an extended position of the front of the supporting structure in sufficient spaced relation from' the front of the seat support to allow of a position of the raisable one of the two relatively movable sections in front of the seat support, whereupon the other of the two sections may be moved outwardly from such one section and to raise such one section, whereby to provide three reposing sections for one or more to lie on when the bed or the like is so extended, the support for the front connections of the equalizer residing in a carrier member fixed at the rear of the supporting structure, such carrier member providing a rest upon which such raisable section is directly supported when in its lowermost'position.

2. In a bed and the like, the combination of two telescoping structures, one of which is a main section forming a seat support, the other including a supporting structure and two relatively movable sections mounted on the supporting structure, and means supported by the supporting structure for operating the movable sections of such one frame when it is extended from the seat support, such means including mechanism enabling an outward swing of one of the movable section relatively to the other section to simultaneously raise such other to substantially the level of the top of the seat support and for sustaining the swingable section at an upward inclination to the other section when the other section has been fully raised.

3. In a bed and the like, a supporting structure, lifting links pivoted thereto, a vertically movable section raisable and lowerable by the lifting links, a swingable section, an intermediate frame pivoted to the supporting structure and on which the two sections are pivoted, one of the liftinglinks having a slidable connection with the intermediate frame, a short link connected with the free end of such one lifting link and pivoted near the inner end of the swingable section, and a relatively long connecting link pivoted on the other lifting link and on the short link, whereby the vertically movable section may be raised or lowered by the outward or inward swing of the swingable section.

4. In a bed and the like, a supporting structure, lifting links pivoted thereto, a vertically movable section raisable and lowerable by the lifting links, a swingable section, an intermediate frame pivoted to the supporting structure and on which the two sections are pivoted, one of the lifting links having a slidable connection with the intermediate frame, a short link connected with the free end of such one lifting link and pivoted near the inner end of the swingable section, and a relatively long connecting link pivoted on the other lifting link and on the short link, whereby the vertically movable section may be raised or lowered by the outward or inward swing of the swingable section, a leg pivoted to the swingable section, and a connecting link between the short link and the leg.

.5. In a bed'and the like, a supporting structure, lifting links pivoted thereto, a vertically movable section raisable and lowerable by the lifting links, a swingable section, an intermediate frame pivoted to the supporting structure and on which the two sections are pivoted, one of the lifting links having a slidable connection with the intermediate frame, a short link connected with the free end of such one lifting link and pivoted near the inner end of the swingable section, and a relatively long connecting link pivoted on the other lifting link and on the short link, whereby the vertically movable section may be raised or lowered by the outward or inward swing of the swingable section, a leg pivoted to the swingable section and its pivoted end extending beyond the pivot, and a link pivoted at one end to the extended end of the leg and at the opposite end mounted on the same pivot as the relatively long link on the short link.

6. In a bed and the like, a supporting structure, lifting links pivoted thereto, a vertically movable section raisable and lowerable by the lifting links, a swingable section, an intermediate frame pivoted to the supporting structure and on which the two sections are pivoted, one of the lifting links having a slidable connection with the intermediate frame, a short link connected with the free end of such one lifting link and pivoted near the inner end of the swingable section, and a relatively long connecting link pivoted on the other lifting link and on the short link, the pivotal point of the long link to the short link being located about midway between the ends of the short link, whereby the vertically movable section may be raised or lowered by the outward or inward swing of the swingable section.

'7. In a bed and the like, a supporting structure, lifting links pivoted thereto, a vertically movable section raisable and lowerable by the lifting links, a swingable section, an intermediate frame including elbow-shaped links pivoted to the supporting structure and on which the two sections are pivoted, one of the sections pivoted at the elbows of the links of the intermediate frame, and one of the lifting links having a slidable connection with the intermediate frame, a short link connected with the free end of such one lifting link and pivoted near the inner end of the swingable section, and a relatively long connecting link pivoted on the other lifting link and on the short link, whereby the vertically movable section may be raised or lowered by the outward or inward swing of the swingable section.

8. In a bed and the like, asupporting structure, lifting links pivoted thereto, a vertically movable section raisable and lowerable by the lifting links, a swingable section, an intermediate frame pivoted to the supporting structure and on which the two sections are pivoted, one of the lifting links having a slidable connection with the intermediate frame, a short link connected with the free end of such one lifting link and pivoted near the inner end of the swingable section, and a relatively long connecting link pivoted on the other lifting link and on the short link, the pivotal point of the long link to the short link located about midway between the ends of the short link, whereby the vertically movable section may be raised or lowered by the outward or inward swing of the swingable section, a leg pivoted to the swingable section and its pivoted end extending beyond the pivot, and a link pivoted at one end to the extended end of the leg and at the opposite end mounted on the same pivot as the relatively long link on the short link.

9. In a bed and the like, the combination of a main structure, a structure slidable thereinto, an equalizer linkage connecting the structures, and collapsible laterally and extensible longitudinally, tension springs secured to the main structure and to opposite portions of the equalizer to oppose the lateral collapse of the equalizer, and a bed or like section mounted on the slidable structure to be positioned alongside the mainstructure when the equalizer is extended.

10. In a bed or the like, the combination of a main structure provided with a seat supporting portion, a structure slidable into the main structure, parallel motion linkage connecting the two structures, and an elevating bed section mounted on the slidable structure to be positioned alongside and parallel with the main structure when the linkage is extended, the linkage permitting a movement of such bed section forwardly beyond the desired position thereof, and spring means acting on the linkage for pulling the elevating bed section to desired bed position rearwardly against the adjacent front edge of the main structure when the former is elevated to using position, such elevating bed section when in such rearward elevated position being in a fixed position with respect to the slidable structure.

BENJAMIN M. FRANK. 

